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City of SLO Awarded 3 Project of the Year Awards from APWA

Post Date:02/19/2018 3:36 PM

The City of San Luis Obispo Public Works Department was awarded three Project of the Year Awards from the Central Coast Chapter of APWA (American Public Works Association) for work done in 2017.

APWA nationally and locally acknowledges Projects of the Year to inform the public of the value and benefits of infrastructure; and, to recognize City employees who work on those projects.

The Sinsheimer Park Playground Renovation received Project of the Year for structures under $2 million. Project manager Dan Van Beveren and maintenance inspector Mark Williams were the award recipients, with a thanks to previous project manager Bridget Fraser and the Parks and Recreation Department. The upgraded park features a large multi-slide centerpiece that resembles a fun robot from space. A grassy hill invites children to slide down – snow-sled-style – on pieces of cardboard. And a climbing wall encourages kids to explore their inner monkey. Other fun features include a snowboard simulator, a zipline and swings. The ADA-accessible playground also includes new picnic tables and benches, walkways, trees, water fountains and water filling stations.

The Madonna – Los Osos Valley Road Rehabilitation work took home Project of the Year for the transportation category, $2-5 million. This award goes to project manager Brian Nelson, Manny Guzman and Doug Nelms in inspection, and to streets maintenance crews for pre-project work. It was the first time in nearly ten years that Los Osos Valley Road and Madonna Road went through major work. Improvements included spot repairs and a maintenance seal of LOVR and Madonna, as well as full reconstruction of Madonna Road between LOVR and Oceanaire. ADA curb ramp upgrades and well as bike facility improvements were also made.

A new category was added this year for Sustainable Initiatives and was awarded to the Transit Fleet Modernization & Upgrade Project. Accolades go to transit manager Gamaliel Anguiano, Dee Lawson, and Megan Cutler. SLO Transit replaced three older buses with full modernized ones, with new video infotainment systems and Wi-Fi. Transit also executed many operational changes recommended in the adopted Short-Range Transit Plan including a new a system that is much more resilient to system impacts such as roadwork and ridership surges. The improvements help increase the safety and service for the more than one-point-one million bus rides taken each year.

The City’s Public Works Department strive to make significant improvements in the safety, health, mobility and overall quality of life of the whole community.